Monday, November 3, 2008

Tomorrow is our day of civic duty to vote. This election is especially important as I have no doubt you've heard. At the local, state, and federal level, who we elect, and the propositions we pass will have an effect on our lives, and even our cycling. There is a growing acknowledgment within congress that alternative transportation options need to be taken more seriously, with cycling infrastructure and public transit components of that. As the car makers get on their knees and beg the government for billions in loans to bail them out of their poor business planning in recent years, we need to capitalize on this moment to pressure our leaders to give other ideas a chance.

This goes beyond who we vote for this election, this means lobbying our leaders to apply pressure and hold their feet to the fire. The automobile groups have been lobbying government with a stranglehold grip ever since they stole the idea of public funding for paved roads from the cyclists movement a century ago. In 2009 the Federal Transportation Budget will be up for renewal, and the highway lobby is already calling for $500,000,000,000 in highway projects. If we keep our mouths shut, then our interests will continue to be ignored. It's time to get loud, and stand up together, and say we are mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore.